Discover the traditional Bunpimay festival of Laos

(NADS) - In the heart of Laos, among traditional villages and peaceful rivers, there exists a beautiful festival, rich in culture and religious spirit - Bunpimay. This is one of the most important holidays of the Lao people, when the whole country turns to celebrate the New Year and wish for luck, health, and success in life.

W_1.cho-tet-o-luong-prabang.jpg — New Year market in Luang Prabang

Bunpimay Festival (Bunhot Nam or Water Festival) celebrates the New Year of the Lao people, held from April 13 to 16 every year. This is a Buddhist festival because in Laos, Buddhism has long been the national religion. According to tradition thousands of years ago, every time Tet comes, Lao people organize a water festival, they splash water to pray for luck and peace for the whole year.

For Lao people, the customs of Bunpimay festival mean bringing coolness, prosperity, warmth, happiness, a peaceful and prosperous country, and are an opportunity to nurture and promote the cultural beauty of the Lao ethnic people. When splashing water, people will give each other good wishes and pray for luck for everyone in the new year.

W_2.nangsangkhan-nang-xuan-lam-le-tai-nha-chua-co..jpg — Nangsangkhan (Miss Xuan) held a ceremony at the Ancient Temple.

W_3.Buddhist-medicine-is-an-indispensable-ritual-during-Tet-has-a-legend.jpg — Monks bathing Buddha in water is an indispensable ritual during the traditional Lao New Year.

W_5_traditional-style-water-flow-on-streets..jpg

W_young-people-playing-singing-and-donating-water-receiving-receipts-by-spraying-with-dragons-at-the-foot-pit.jpg — Crowds of young people play, sing and celebrate the Water Splashing Ceremony with water cannons in the capital Vientiane.

On the first day of the year, in addition to the water splashing and splashing, there are many fun and healthy activities associated with rivers and water such as boat races on the Mekong River, building sand towers, releasing turtles, fish, crabs, birds, picking fresh flowers to bring to the temple to worship Buddha, tying threads on wrists, elephant parades, boat races held on the river, folk games, lucky praying ceremonies, and blessing ceremonies in families...

Elephant procession through the streets of Luang Prabang

W_9.the-egg-candy-made-of-silk-fiber-with-an-elephant-being-draped-on-the-street.jpg — Banners made of silk strips printed with images of elephants or other animals are carried through the streets.

W_11.during-Tet-the-festival-the-market-still-opens-to-serve-people's-needs.jpg — During Tet holidays, stalls selling temple offerings are still open to serve people's needs.

Celebrating the traditional New Year in Laos is often understood as "going out to celebrate Tet" because in addition to traditional cultural activities such as bathing Buddha statues, wrist-tying ceremony, animal release ceremony, blessing ceremony for parents and grandparents, outdoor activities lasting all day long are water splashing games. According to custom, the water splashing custom is to bestow blessings as well as receive the best wishes for the new year, washing away bad things or bad luck for yourself and your family. Nowadays, the water splashing custom has become a water splashing game with many forms, commonly taking place at entertainment centers or anywhere on the streets.

W_14.tam-phat-o-thu-do-vieng-chan.jpg — Bathing the Buddha in Vientiane Capital

The most special feature of Bunpimay is the Nangsangkhane (Spring Goddess) procession in the ancient capital of Luang Prabang, with seven girls playing the seven children of Kabinlaphom - the Four-faced God, who is credited with bringing good things to the Lao people. The festival is attended by all Lao people, a custom that has existed since ancient times. Before the festival, the locality organizes a beauty contest to select seven beautiful, virtuous, hard-working and intelligent girls. These girls will be honored as the Spring Goddess. During the ceremony, one girl will play the role of the Spring Goddess. This girl will hold a sword in one hand, and a ring of fire in the other. Along with this girl, there are six younger sisters dressed in traditional costumes and sitting on a splendidly decorated open-top car. In the parade, people wear masks of Pu Nho and Nha Nho, who according to legend were the first man and woman who gave birth to the Lao people. The parade was accompanied by the sound of drums, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere. People on the street happily splashed water on the group, wishing each other the best wishes for the new year.

Bunpimay not only attracts local people but also attracts many tourists from all over the world . This is an opportunity to explore and learn about the unique culture and beliefs of Lao people, as well as experience fun and meaningful moments with family and friends.